Medals

There are 3 interesting points about his medals

He was awarded both a UK and USA DFC

The General Service Medal with Malaya clasp is not correct (see below)

The MiD oak leaf mounted on the ribbon (far right) can now be attached to a General Service Medal with Cyprus 1963-64 clasp

When I first started researching his service history an award for a USA DFC came up in a London Gazette entry – there were no details. I searched  and contacted the archives in the USA who drew a blank but they did suggest trying the UK National archives. A chance reading of a forum post identified a document number and the search was successful

National Archives at St. Louis.

Our collection of DFC award cards has been digitized and uploaded onto our catalog.  These cards are used to confirm award as well as to lead requesters to the General Order which conferred the award.  Not having a card does not mean that an individual did not receive an award, however, it does hamper our ability to find out why an award was issued.  The scans can be found https://catalog.archives.gov/id/133440353

National Archives at College Park, MD
We have carefully searched our holdings, with a particular focus on the documents filed under War Department Classification Number 200.63 Awards of decorations to foreigners in Record Group 18 Entry (NM-6) 2 Records of the Army Air Forces. Unclassified Decimal Correspondence Files, 6/1944 – 10/1948 https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6854351
Unfortunately, we were not able to locate any records relating to your late father. If you have not already done so, you may also wish to contact the United Kingdom www.nationalarchives.gov.uk, regarding your father’s RAF service records. It is possible that those records would include information about awards he received from the U.S. Army Air Forces.

I then requested that the National Archives search this document:
AIR 2/9090
DECORATIONS, MEDALS, HONOURS AND AWARDS (CODE B, 30): American awards to 2nd T.A.F

Letter

5 November, 1945.

Sir,

I am directed to refer to the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross conferred upon you by the President of the United States of America as announced in the London Gazette of  3rd July, 1945, and to inform you that, as it was not possible for arrangements to be made for you to receive the decoration from General Weyland, it has been received in the Air Ministry for transmission to you.

In the circumstances I enclose the decoration herewith together with a copy of the official citation, It is requested that you be good enough to acknowledge receipt.

I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,

Flying Officer G. N. Sims, D.F.C.,
3, Kennvilie Road,
Kennington,
Oxford.

Citation

Citation for Distinguished Flying Cross

(United States of America.)

Flying officer George Noel. SIMS, D.F.C. (185433), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No.226 Squadrons (Pilot; sorties 80; flying hours 184).

Flying Officer Sims has led many operational missions the majority of which have been against heavily defended targets.

He has at all times displayed a high standard of Leadership and has proved himself to be a skillful, reliable and courageous pilot.

General Service Medal 1918 – 1962

He was awarded the General Service Medal 1918 – 1962 with a Malaya Clasp

When I was looking through his service record I noted that he returned to the UK in January 1952 and that got me thinking……

I remembered that Queen Elizabeth II coronation was 1952 and then looked up the date of George VI death – 6th February 1952.

The current medal is the sixth type (QEII) issued between 1955 – 1962

I contacted the MOD medal office who were very helpful. They agreed it was the wrong medal and issued a George VI fourth type 1949-1952 medal

General Service Medal 1962 – 2007

Following the ‘Sir John Holmes Independent Medal Review’ (in 2014) the government has announced that a new clasp has been given approval.

Those servicemen who served in Cyprus during the period 21 December 1963 to 26 March 1964 will be awarded the General Service Medal (1962) with clasp ‘Cyprus 1963-64’.

The Mentioned in Dispatches Oak leaf which was mounted on plain ribbon can now be attached to this medal